The facility's prime purpose was to defend the northern approaches to European Russia. Amderma's significance was driven home during the Cold War years when on 1 June 1960 a MiG-19 from Amderma shot down a Boeing RB-47H that was crossing Cape Kanin Nos. Since the 1960s the airfield has been home to the 72 Gv IAP (72 Guards Interceptor Aviation Regument) of the 10th OA PVO, which was operating at least 31 MiG-31 aircraft during the 1991-94 period.[2] The Tupolev Tu-128 and MiG-19 were stationed here in the 1960s.[3]